APKobe Bryant has been scoring at one of the most feverish paces in NBA history. Now, he’ll square off against one of the few players that might be able to keep up with him offensively.
Two of the NBA’s most prolific scorers meet as Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers host LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Bryant scored 41 points in the Lakers’ 113-103 loss Wednesday to the Portland Trail Blazers, ending his string of games with at least 45 points at four. Bryant was the first player since Wilt Chamberlain in 1964 to string together that many 45-point performances.
Chamberlain, who scored 45 in nine straight games, is the only player with more than four straight. Elgin Baylor also reached the milestone in December, 1961.
“Kobe was waiting for his game to get hot and it never happened, and we tried to force the ball into him and it cost us,” coach Phil Jackson said.
Bryant, who also had a nine-game streak of 40-point games from Feb. 6-23, 2003, now has 11 40-point games this season and 51 for his career for the Lakers. Among active players with 40-plus point games, Bryant trails only Allen Iverson, who has 67.
Bryant, who has two 50-point games this season and seven in his career, leads the league in scoring at 34.3 points per game. Iverson, who scored 46 points Wednesday against Utah, ranks second with 33.7 points.
James became the first NBA player since Oscar Robertson in 1966 to record at least 30 points, seven rebounds and five assists in seven straight games. His seven straight 30-point games streak is the longest in the league since Tracy McGrady had 14 in a row in 2003.
“That kid is playing great,” said New York coach Larry Brown, who coached James on the 2004 U.S. Olympic team. “I don’t know how you can guard him. He’s getting better and better and better.”
“I don’t think we were ready to play from the opening tip,” said James, who has averaged 25.3 points in four career games against the Lakers. “Once you get to the point where every game means the same, where every game you play for 48 minutes, then you become a great team. Right now, we are not.”
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“I’m officially in a slump,” Jones said.
The Cavaliers, who have won nine of their last 12, are opening a six-game road trip.
Center Zendon Hamilton signed a 10-day contract with the Cavs on Tuesday, less than one week after they waived him.
Kobe Bryant hit a baseline jump shot with 4.2 seconds left and the Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up a six-game road trip by holding on to beat the Raptors 94-92 on Sunday, their eighth victory in nine meetings with Toronto
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